Rotary coaxial switch actuating mechanism



Feb. 22, 1955 T c, NOON 2,702,877

ROTARY COAXIAL SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 5, 1951 .ITZZ E T7. ZLET United States Patent ROTARY COAXIAL SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM T Cyril Noon, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, assignor to Thompson Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 5, 1951, Serial No. 260,017

laims. (Cl. 317-157) This invention relates to a rotary switch actuating mechanism, and more particularly to an actuating mechanism for moving the rotor of a coaxial switch to one or more pre-selected positions.

Many of the actuating mechanisms adapted for rotary coaxial switches which have been developed in the past have been of the step-by-step type, wherein the coaxial switch rotor is moved by some sort of ratchet mechanism from one position to another. Many advantages have been found to result from the utilization of an electric motor to drive a rotary coaxial switch.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel indexing mechanism, for moving and positioning a rotary member.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel rotary switch actuating mechanism adapted for a rotary coaxial switch which is driven by means of a continuously rotatable driving member rather than by means of a step-by-step driving member.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for rendering the angular momentum of the rotary driving member ineffective to drive the switch rotor beyond the operative range of a detent means, or other means acting to position the switch rotor in the preselected position.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means for relieving the switch rotor of the driving force of the angular momentum of the rotary driving member when deenergized adjacent to a preselected switching position.

It is another and still further object of the present invention to afford a switch detent a free range of operation adjacent a pre-selected position.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide means for rendering the reduction gear drive for the rotor of a coaxial switch ineffective to act against a switch detent adjacent a preselected switching position.

Other novel features which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization, manner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view partly in section of an actuating mechanism embodying the novel principles and teachings of the present invention as it would be applied to a single pole type of rotary coaxial switch;

Figure 2 is a fragmental sectional view taken along the line il-II of Figure 1 and showing the switch detent mechanism in elevation; and

Figure 3 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating a control system for the actuating mechanism.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a rotary coaxial switch having a rotor which is designed to be rotated into one or more pre-selected positions to complete one or more circuits.

The actuating mechanism of the present invention is also particularly adapted for use with a control system for selectively indexing the switch rotor to one of a plurality of pre-selected switching positions. The invention is, therefore, illustrated as it might be employed with such an indexing control system by way of example and not by way of limitation.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, a single pole, double throw rotary coaxial switch 10 is operated by an actuice 2 ating mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 11. The rotary switch 10 comprises a stationary switch body 12 and a switch rotor 13 rotatably mounted therein.

The switch rotor 13 has an inner conductor elbow 14 having a reduced diameter pin 15 at one end extending axially of said switch rotor for continuous contact with prongs 17 of the inner conductor 18 extending axially of the rotor and axially of the main fitting 19 of the switch body 12. The inner conductor elbow 14 is carried in the rotor 13 and is insulated from the metallic plug 20 of the rotor by means of insulation 21. The inner conductor 18 of the main fitting 19 is centered axially of the fitting 19 by means of insulation 22. The switch rotor 13 is rotatable to selectively establish circuits between inner conductor 18 of the main fitting and the inner conductors 23 and 24 of the branch fittings 25 and 26. The internal walls 27 of the fittings 19, 25 and 26 constitute outer conductors which are connected by means of the internal wall 23 of the elbow passage of the plug 20. Each of the coaxial fittings 19, 25 and 26 may be provided with suitable means for connection to coaxial cables, as threads (not shown).

The rotor 13 is, therefore, intended to be moved to accurately determined angular positions. One such predetermined switching position, which may be designated the A switching position is shown in Figure l. The other B predetermined switching position is with the rotor turned through to make contact between the inner conductor elbow 14 and the inner conductor 24 of the branch fitting 26 to establish a closed circuit from main inner conductor 18 to branch inner conductor 24.

The actuating mechanism 11 is designed to accurately move the switch rotor 13 selectively into the A and B predetermined switching positions.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the switch rotor 13 is directly connected to a shaft 30, which is adapted to be driven by means of a rotary driving member such as the rotor of an electric motor 31. The drive connection between the motor 31 and the shaft 30 includes a motor shaft 32, pinion 33, driving gear 34, shaft 35, associated pinion 36, driving gear 37 and shaft 38.

in order to accurately position the switch rotor 13 in the pre-selected switching positions, a switch detent mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 40 is provided. In general, the switch detent mechanism has a central position which corresponds with the desired predetermined switching position and an effective range of angular positions in which it is operative to move the switch rotor to the central predetermined switcl1- ing position desired.

By way of definite example, the detent may have an over-all range of 30, with a range in advance of the predetermined switching position of 15 and a range beyond the predetermined switching position of 15. By way of example, this range of detent action may be accomplished by means of a detent gear 41 fixed to the shaft 30 and having twelve peripheral teeth.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the detent gear 41 is controlled by a pair of opposed arms 42 and 43 illustrated as being pivotally mounted on the coaxial switch housing 12 by means of bolts 44. The arms 42 and 43 carry rollers 45 which are urged against the gear by means of springs 46 anchored at one end to the bolts 44 and at the other end to the free ends 47 of the arms 42 and 43. The springs 46 urge the rollers 45 into the bottom of the grooves 48 between the teeth 49 of the gear 41. Thus, when the motor turns the shaft 30 to such a position that the rollers 45 are in overbalanced relation to the centers of a pair of opposed teeth 49, the springs 46 will tend to accelerate the shaft 30 by camrning the rollers 45 inwardly along the sloping faces of the teeth and to hold the rollers at the bottom of the grooves 48 in the positions shown in Figure 2.

It will thus be seen that in the case of a simple 30 detent, such as illustrated in Figure 2, a retarding force is exerted on the motor for 15 beyond a predetermined switching position. In order to stop the motor so that the detent can return to its desired position, such as the A position of the switch rotor 13, shown in Figure l,

the retarding torque must be sufficient to overcome the angular momentum of the system and bring the shaft 30 to rest before the retarding range of the detent beyond the A position is passed. If the retarding torque is made sufficiently high, it has been found that a practical motor is unable to overcome the retarding torque.

In order to render the angular momentum of the rotor of the electric motor ineffective to drive the switch beyond its pre-selected switching position, for example after the motor has been de-energized within the operative range of switch detent, a clutch 50 is provided between the shafts 38 and 30. The clutch 50 comprises a driving plate 51 fixed to the shaft 38 and a driven plate 52 slidably and non-rotatively mounted on the shaft 30. The driven plate 52 is diagrammatically indicated to have a pair of opposed annular shoulders 53 and 54 defining an annular channel in which an actuating yoke 55 engages to move the driven plate axially of the shaft 30 into engagement with the drive plate 51. The yoke is diagrammatically illustrated as being pivotally attached to a fixed arm 56 which in turn is mounted on a fixed support 57. A spring 58 is indicated as acting to pivot the yoke 55 to separate the clutch plates, and a solenoid 59 is indicated as having an armature 60 connected to the free end of the yoke 55 to move the clutch plate 52 into engagement with the clutch plate 51.

The manner of operation of the actuating mechanism will now be understood by reference to Figure 3. A pair of supply conductors 65 and 66 leading from a suitable source of voltage (not shown) are indicated as supplying power to the actuating system, under the control of a switch 64- in the line 66. The supply conductor 66 leads to the motor and the supply conductor 65 leads to a double throw switch 67 having a pair of contacts 68 and 69 connecting to a wafer switch 70 which, as shown in Figure 1, is mounted on the shaft 30. The member 71 of the switch 70 is adapted to rotate with the shaft 30 while stationary contact 73 of the wafer switch is connected to a switch contact 68 by means of conductor 74 and stationary contact 75 is connected by means of conductor 76 to the switch contact 69. The position of the switch 67 shown may correspond to the pro-selected switching position A shown in Figure 1. If the switch 67 is now actuated to make contact with the contact 69, the motor 31 and the solenoid 59, which is connected in parallel across the motor, will be energized. Energization of the solenoid winding 63 causes the armature 60 to be raised and the clutch plates 51 and 52 to be engaged. The motor 31 is then effective to drive the shaft 30 and the switch rotor 13.

As the shaft 30 rotates, it will be appreciated that the arcuate slot 80 on the periphery of the inner member 71 of the wafer switch will move toward the stationary contact 75. If the slot subtends an angle of substantially 30, by the time the shaft has turned through 165, contact will be broken between the stationary contact 75 and the inner member 71 because of the slot 80, and the motor 31 and the solenoid coil 63 will be de-energized. The spring 58 will then act to disengage the clutch plate so that the angular momentum of the rotor of the electric motor is no longer exerted on the shaft 30 and the switch detent is free to accurately position the switch rotor in the B position.

It will be observed that the solenoid can be adjusted so that the motor has an opportunity to gain angular momentum in starting before the full load of the switch rotor and switch detent is applied thereto. Furthermore, it is to be observed that the switch detent is rendered independent of the drive gearing so that the detent need not overcome the resistance of the gearing in positioning the switch rotor. It will still further be observed that the motor need only overcome the resistance of the switch detent and switch rotor and drive gearing, and that no other retarding means is necessary to overcome the angular momentum of the motor or the like.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to limit it thereto, since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An actuating mechanism for a coaxial switch including a switch rotor for movement to a pre-seleeted switching position, comprising a rotary driving member, means for energizing said driving member, a shaft driven by said driving member to move the switch rotor toward the pre-selected switching position, means responsive to the angular position of said shaft to de-energize said driving member at a pre-selected angular position of said shaft prior to the switch rotor reaching the pre-selected switching position, detent means operative within a preselected range of positions of said shaft to center said switch rotor in said pre-selected switching position, a clutch between said rotary driving member and said shaft, and means for disengaging said clutch when the shaft is within the operative range of the detent.

2. In combination in a rotary coaxial switch, a switch rotor, a shaft in driving connection with said switch rotor, a detent means in operative connection with said shaft and operative to urge the shaft to a pre-selected switching position when the shaft is in an angular position within a first pre-selected range in advance of said pre-selected switching position and within a second preselected range beyond said pre-selected switching position, a continuously rotatable driving member for continuously driving said shaft, and clutch means between said driving member and said shaft, and means for disengaging said clutch means within the operative range of said detent means to render said shaft independent of the continuous rotation of said driving member.

3. In combination in a rotary coaxial switch, a switch rotor, a shaft in driving connection with said switch rotor, a detent means in operative connection with said shaft and operative to urge said shaft to a pre-selected switching position when the shaft is in an angular position within a first pre-selected range in advance of said pro-selected range and within a second pre-selected range beyond said pre-selected switching position, a continuously rotatable driving member for driving said shaft, and means for rendering the angular momentum of said continuously rotatable driving member ineffective to drive said shaft beyond said second detent-means-operative range.

4. A switch comprising a switch rotor for positioning in a pre-selected switching position, a continuously rotatable driving member having substantial angular momentum for moving said rotor toward the pre-selected position, means for continuously driving the continuously rotatable driving member, and clutch means for disengaging said continuously rotatable driving member from said switch rotor.

5. In combination, a first shaft, a second shaft for driving said first shaft, means for driving said second shaft having considerable angular momentum in operation, detent means operative within a pre-selected range of angular positions of said first shaft to center the first shaft at a pro-selected angular position, a clutch between said first shaft and said second shaft, means for disengaging said clutch, and means responsive to the angular position of said first shaft to actuate said clutch disengaging means within the operative range of said detent means.

6. Indexing mechanism for selectively locating a rotor with respect to a plurality of surrounding stations, comprising a rotatable drive member, means for actuating said drive member, means for coupling said drive member to said rotor, means for deenergizing said actuating means when said rotor has angularly moved to a pre-selected general position with respect to said stations, means for decoupling said driving member from said rotor, and means for thereafter moving said rotor to a precise relative position with respect to said stations.

7. Indexing mechanism for selectively locating a rotor with respect to a plurality of surrounding stations, comprising a rotatable drive member, means for actuating said drive member, means for coupling said drive member to said rotor, means for decoupling said driving member from said rotor when said rotor has angularly moved to a pre-selected general position with respect to said stations, and separate and independent means for locating the rotor at a precise relative position with respect to said stations when said rotor has been moved to the pre-selected general position and the driving member has been decoupled.

8. In an actuating mechanism for a coaxial switch including a switch rotor for movement to a pre-selected switching position, a continuously rotatable driving member, means for continuously energizing said driving member, a shaft driven by said driving member to move the switch rotor toward the pre-selected switching position, means operative within a pre-selected range of positions of said shaft to center said switch rotor in said pre-selected switching position, a clutch between said continuously rotatable driving member and said shaft, and means for disengaging said clutch when the shaft is within the operative range of said centering means.

9. An indexing mechanism for selectively locating a rotor of a coaxial switch with respect to a plurality of surrounding stations, comprising a continuously rotatable driving member, means for continuously energizing said driving member during an indexing operation, a shaft driven by said driving member to move said rotor between said stations, detent means comprising a detent wheel on said shaft and spring urged means cooperating with said detent wheel to establish a plurality of precise stable positions of said rotor with respect to said stations and to resist movement of said rotor away from said stable positions of said rotor with respect to said stations and to resist movement of said rotor away from said stable positions within a preselected range of positions on either side of each of said stable positions, said driving member developing sufiicient torque to overcome the resistance of said detent means during energization thereof, a clutch between said driving member and said shaft, and means for selectively disengaging said clutch at a plurality of pre-selected general positions of said rotor each related to one of said precise stable positions, said detent means being operative for locating the rotor at a selected precise stable position after the clutch is disengaged at the related general position.

10. An indexing mechanism for selectively locating a rotor with respect to a plurality of surrounding stations, comprising a continuously rotatable drive member, means for continuously actuating said drive member during an indexing operation, means for coupling said drive member to said rotor, detent means operable to establish a plurality of precise stable positions of said rotor with respect to said stations and to resist movement of said rotor away from said stable positions within a preselected range of positions of said rotor on either side of each of said stable positions, said drive member developing sufiicient torque to overcome the resistance of said detent means during actuation thereof, means for selectively decoupling said drive member from said rotor when said rotor has angularly moved to a plurality of pre-selected general positions each related to one of said precise stable positions, and said detent means being operative for locating the rotor at a selected precise stable position after the drive member has been decoupled at the related general position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,975 Carichofi Dec. 16, 1902 2,085,442 Newell June 29, 1937 2,236,309 Dahlstrom Mar. 25, 1941 2,465,086 Grossen Mar. 22, 1949 2,500,939 Exner Mar. 21, 1950 2,500,956 Mershon Mar. 21, 1950 2,516,606 Weaver et al. July 25, 1950 2,576,609 Kreiner Nov. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 558,726 Germany Sept. 10, 1932 

